I am running FSX at frame rates that are lower than I would like (5-20), and I am trying to identify which component(s) in my system to upgrade.So here is the description of my machine, with everything (I hope) that is pertinent:AMD Phenon II X4 955 Processor (3.2 GHz - not currently overclocked)8GB Kingston 1333 RAM (9-9-9), but programmable down to 6 (I haven't tried to yet)2GB of additional RAM, but I don't have the specs on it handy (willing to look them up)OCZ 55GB Primary Hard DriveIntel 40GB Secondary Hard Drive (FSX installed here)2TB RAID 0 Hard Drive (A bit of MegaEarth California scenery is installed here)AMD Radeon 6790 Video CardThree ViewSonic VX2450 MonitorsI have run Bojote's Tuning and Tweaking Tool for FSX (http://www.venetubo.com/fsx.html) and it made some slight improvements in my frame rates.I appreciate any help that anyone can provide, and will gladly provide any further information that is necessary.

Your CPU is the bottleneck. Either reduce settings or get a new motherboard and CPU. You have no significant upgrade options with AMD CPUs currently. If you want to wait until the FX series comes out in a couple months then your upgrade options will be decent, but we don't know how they'll compare to what Intel has available now. I personally do not expect AMD's new chips to outperform Intel's current chips, let alone Intel's upcoming chips. You may save money by going with AMD though, and perhaps receive adequate performance also.

In the meantime you can get a cheap and decent boost from OCing.Is that a Black Edition 955? What motherboard?Is that RAM 2x4GB + 2x1GB? you may want to go without those 2x1GB unless you need them for some other application

What about that "2 GBy of additional RAM"?8 GBy is more than enough, and those 2 GBy could be slowing overall RAM access (especially if slower than the 8 GBy)?Cheers,- jahman.

Thanks for the recommendations.Since the "extra" 2GB is not necessary for any other app, I've dumped it.Based on information reported by CPU-Z, which shows the Code Name for my CPU as Deneb, I believe it is a Black Edition 955.Motherboard is a Biostar TA870+. My son, who is considerably more knowledgeable than me, claims that the BIOS is a pain for overclocking. Even though I'm less knowledgeable than him, I have a lot more patience. Any recommendations on where to find good overclocking advice for my hardware?

Deneb is the core type, both BE and non BE are Deneb :blush:Can you post a CPU-Z screenshot?Check this out:http://www.overclock.net/hardware/showproduct.php?product=1190BIOS picsReview

Here's that CPU-Z screenshot...

Sorry, I thought the screenshot would clear things up but it looks like it doesn't. If you have the box, there should be a part number. Has to be one of these:Not Black Edition:HDX955FBK4DGI HDX955FBK4DGM HDX955WFK4DGMBlack Edition: HDZ955FBK4DGI HDZ955FBGIBOX HDZ955FBK4DGM HDZ955FBGMBOX If you can't figure out the part number, the only way I can think of is going to the BIOS and see if the multiplier is unlocked

I no longer have the box. Here is (I hope) the relevant BIOS screen:From your previous post with BIOS screens, should those overclock values work for my machine? I took a stab at them and ended up with an unbootable (no display) situation. Probably my screw-up if they were supposed to work. Fortunately, I do know how to clear my CMOS.I definitely expect a few bumps in the road while learning to overclock, and I thank you for all your help and patience.

No problem. OCing can be intimidating at the beginning but once you are familiar with the process and with your BIOS, it's a walk in the park.Don't use other's settings unless you are sure what you're doing. It's relatively easy to bork a CPU with reckless OCing, especially using voltages in Auto and stuff (and auto is often the default setting)Reset your BIOS to defaults and take one step at a time.I'm guessing the CPU multiplier is set in this screen (Core FID)Try it and let us know the max setting allowed for the multi to see if it's unlocked (Black Edition) or not, but leave it at default when you're done (16)One thing I forgot to ask. Do you have a proper aftermarket CPU cooler? If you have the stock AMD heatsink, that won't cut it and you should put off overclocking until you get hold of a decent HSF

I realize that I was being a bit reckless by just trying the settings you showed, but I figured that if I borked my CPU it would be a good excuse to get the new one I wanted (lol).Anyway, I do have plenty of options for changing Core FID:And I do have aftermarket cooling:However, when using prime95 to drive my cores to 100% for extended periods of time, my cores get up into the high 50's C. So I'm curious if my cooling should be improved?My case is an Antec 300, and I just recently got a fan controller. The one really ugly part of my setup is that the case is in a desk enclosure with only a couple of inches of clearance to the sides and roughly four inches above it.

Good, nice little CM 212+ and unlocked multiplier the case is fine too, but can't you try it outside of the desk, just to see if that's an issue? if you don't have a fan on the side or top of the case it shouldn't be that big of a deal I guess, but it won't hurt to trydoes it have enough room at the rear exhaust fan? normally you want the air flow from the front to the rear of the case, and by the way, your HSF is seating vertical blowing air upwards. It will probably be much better to reseat it so that it blows the air backwards insteadWhat did you use to monitor temperatures? with these chips you need to monitor CPU temp, not individual core temps. That's a very common mistake. Phenoms have no core temperature sensors and those readings are calculated values, usually lower than the actual CPU temp.1.- Make sure you are monitoring the right sensor: download Core Temp, HWmonitor and post a screenshot of both2.- If your temps are still fine for testing (maximum is 62.5ºC) stress test with the case outside of the desk to see if that's a problem or not.3.- List all your case fans and their orientation. Front to back preferrably4.- Use SpeedFan or similar to monitor your CPU fans speed. Make sure they kick in at max rpm under load5.- Remove the side panel of the case and see if that helps with temps. If temps are significantly lower, you'll need to improve your case ventilation somehow6.- You'll probably want to reseat your HSF to point backwards. That's a PITA, so if after all the previous steps you get good temps, you may get away with it as it is, but I would seriously consider getting a good TIM (Artic Silver 5 or something like that) and mount it properly. Don't use too much TIM, just a rice grain sized drop in the middle of the CPU.

Would a heat sink with 6 heat pipes instead of just 4 improve cooling?Cheers,- jahman.

I've moved the case outside of the cave in the desk, and it was a big deal. Core temps during stress testing have dropped 10 degrees!1.- Make sure you are monitoring the right sensor: download Core Temp, HWmonitor and post a screenshot of bothThese readings were after prime95 had been inducing stress for several minutes, when temps appeared stable.2.- If your temps are still fine for testing (maximum is 62.5ºC) stress test with the case outside of the desk to see if that's a problem or not.See #1.3.- List all your case fans and their orientation. Front to back preferrablyTwo case intake fans lower front, both: Cooler Master 120mm (Model Number A12025-12CB-3BN-F1)One power supply (Thermaltake TR2-500W) fanOne case side intake fan, also: Cooler Master 120mm (Model Number A12025-12CB-3BN-F1)One heatsink intake fan: Cooler Master 120mm (Model Number FA12025M12SPA)One heatsink exhaust fan: Cooler Master 120mm (Model Number A12025-20CB-4BP-C1)One case top exhaust fan: Cool Max 140mm (Model Number 1425L12S OD2)One case back exhaust fan: Antec 120mm 3-speed (couldn't find a model number)4.- Use SpeedFan or similar to monitor your CPU fans speed. Make sure they kick in at max rpm under loadWith the fans plugged into the fan controller, I'm not able to monitor their speeds. All dials on the fan controller are maxed.5.- Remove the side panel of the case and see if that helps with temps. If temps are significantly lower, you'll need to improve your case ventilation somehowTemps were only 1-2 degrees C lower during stress testing with the side panel off.6.- You'll probably want to reseat your HSF to point backwards. That's a PITA, so if after all the previous steps you get good temps, you may get away with it as it is, but I would seriously consider getting a good TIM (Artic Silver 5 or something like that) and mount it properly. Don't use too much TIM, just a rice grain sized drop in the middle of the CPU. Heatsink fans are oriented upwards with the idea that the 140mm top case fan can move more air than the 120mm back case fan. If temps still need adjusting, I'm open to the idea of reorienting. Heatsink was mounted with a high-quality thermal paste (by my more-skilled son).

Ok, it's weird, but your CPU temp in HW monitor is the core readings (they are all synced right? at least it looks like they are, with the same value, min and max) They match Core Temp's CPU reading too, so that must be correct. That's a whole different story, maxing out at 48ºC sounds about right at stock clocks. What's the ambient temp there?If you want to keep your rig crammed in your desk you'll probably need to reseat the HSF to have it facing backwards though. Obviously blocking the top fan exhaust was killing the airflow. If you can move it somewhere with better clearance on the top you shoud be fine as it is, I don't think it will get much better than that with the HSF facing backwards.